Starbucks, Kraft expand European deal

March 05, 2009
-
by Keith Nunes

Share This:

SEATTLE — Starbucks Corp. and Kraft Foods Inc. are expanding their European distribution agreement and will be launching packaged Starbucks coffee at retail outlets in France and Germany. The two companies’ first foray into Europe occurred in September 2008 when they began selling Starbucks coffee in Switzerland.

Beginning this month, French consumers will be able to purchase a selection of ground Starbucks coffee and Tassimo T-Discs at some Monoprix supermarkets, mainly in and around Paris, and in other cities in France. Starbucks currently has 48 coffeehouses in France.

By April, German consumers will find ground and whole bean Starbucks coffee at select supermarkets, while Tassimo T-Discs will be sold nationwide. Starbucks currently has 140 coffeehouses in Germany.

"Europe has a strong, vibrant coffee culture and we’re proud to contribute to its richness by offering consumers super-premium Starbucks coffee for at-home brewing," said Rich DePencier, vice-president, of Starbucks’ global consumer products. "Our Consumer Products business is important to the overall success of the company, and we are committed to bringing the Starbucks experience to consumers throughout Europe at our retail stores and in supermarkets."

Starbucks and Kraft Foods began working together in 1998 with a marketing and distribution agreement under which Starbucks coffee was launched in U.S. supermarkets. Today, the companies market and sell Starbucks coffees and Tassimo T-Discs in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Switzerland.

Comment on this Article

The views expressed in the comments section of Food Business News do not reflect those of Food Business News or its parent company, Sosland Publishing Co., Kansas City, Mo. Concern regarding a specific comment may be registered with the Editor by clicking the Report Abuse link.
Enter code as it is shown (required):